Monty Panesar has been recalled to the England squad for the Ashes tour. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Monty Panesar, Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan have been named in England's 16-man squad for the Ashes. The wicketkeeper Steve Davies, who has impressed in the recent one-day series against Pakistan, has also been called up, but there is no place for the Yorkshire seamer Ajmal Shahzad, who had been heavily tipped to be in the squad.

Tremlett, who won the last of his three Test caps against India in 2007, is recalled to the England set up for the first time since the tour of New Zealandin 2008. While Panesar wins a place in the tour party after a successful domestic season which saw him take 52 first-class wickets for his new county.

"Clearly there are always difficult decisions to make when selecting an England squad and this Ashes squad was no different," said the ECB national selector Geoff Miller. "We feel that Chris Tremlett's inclusion will add a real threat of pace and bounce to our bowling attack given the conditions in Australia. Chris will be vying for a place in the final team amongst a confident attack including James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan and Steven Finn.

"We feel that following an excellent season with Sussex Monty Panesar deserves his opportunity to assume the role as England's second spinner behind Graeme Swann. Monty has gone away and worked on his bowling since his last England appearance and he continues to be an attacking threat with the ball in his hand."

Davies, who will act as back-up wicketkeeper to Matt Prior, is the only member of the touring party uncapped at Test level.

England's captain, Andrew Strauss, said: "I am excited by the Test squad we have selected for the upcoming Ashes series as I firmly believe we have a number of match winners across all areas of the squad. It's exciting to have the Ashes as our sole focus from this point on and I know every member of this Ashes squad will be relishing the challenge of retaining the Ashes in Australia.

"To captain England in an Ashes series Down Under is a huge honour and something I am looking forward to with enormous anticipation. We realise the challenge ahead of us in Australia but it is a test we welcome and look forward to meeting head on."

Shahzad will form part of the performance squad that will play several matches in Australia between 12 November and 16 December. Michael Carberry, Craig Kieswetter and James Tredwell, who have all represented the senior England side over the past 12 months, are also among those included.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Trott and Steven Finn have been awarded central contracts. "I am delighted that Jonathan Trott and Steven Finn have both been awarded 12-month central contracts for the first time," the ECB managing director, Hugh Morris, said. "Central contracts are designed to reward players who perform well consistently for England and Jonathan and Steven have made a very significant contribution to the team's recent success in the last year."